It was a beautifully sunny August afternoon when Katie Bell and her parents apparated into the Weasleys' large garden. Being good friends of the Weasleys, they had been invited to Bill's wedding. His fiancée was apparently half-Veela, according to Fred and George, who seemed a little put out at their older brother's good fortune.

Gazing around in an attempt to block out her parents' muted bickering, Katie took in the huge white marquee. There were flowers everywhere, surely Molly Weasley's input. And there, waiting at the entrance to the marquee, stood Fred and George, along with Ron, and another ginger guy Katie had never met. Probably one of the many Weasley cousins.

Katie wondered what Fred would do when they finally came face to face; they had only been broken up for a few months and she wasn't even sure how she would act.

Even as she watched, the twins seemed to spot a group of unfairly pretty French girls, and after a brief conversation, Fred darted past several aged guests and escorted the girls into the tent with a flirtatious smile. Katie blinked back a few stupid tears. Of course Fred hadn't changed in the three months since she'd given up on their relationship.

Eventually, she and her parents were seated by Ron Weasley, who kept glowering over at a man who looked a lot like Victor Krum. She asked Ron whether the man actually was Krum, to which the redhead nodded moodily, sloping off, muttering something about Krum being a 'stupid git'.

Before she'd even sat down, Katie's parents were arguing again. She rolled her eyes wearily.

"Can you both shut up?" she snapped, finally fed up of them. "You're ruining this. Can you just be civil to each other for one day?"

Her mother began to reprimand her, but then Molly Weasley appeared next to them, all smiles and hugs. Thank Godric.

Katie turned away, wondering how exactly she was going to deal with this wedding if her parents were being childish and Fred was being an idiot. Where was Ginny anyway? The redhead was probably Katie's best chance of good company.

"Well well," said a familiar voice, "Katie Bell."

She turned to see Charlie Weasley, freckled and smiling, standing in front of her.

"Hi Charlie, good to see you," she returned his smile. "How've you been? I don't think I've seen you for about three years," she added, surprised at how long it had been.

"Ah yeah, wasn't that the year of the Triwizard cup?" Charlie nodded; suddenly he grinned wickedly. "And the bra incident?"

"Are you ever going to let me forget that?" Katie swatted his arm.

Charlie shook his head.

"Of course not, it's way too fun embarrassing you all the time."

"Fine," Katie sighed jokingly. "Anyway, how's life treating you?"

"Not too bad, Romania's a lot quieter than it's been here," Charlie sat down next to her, giving up on the teasing. "And how have you been, Miss Bell?"

"Quite good considering I spent most of last year in St Mungo's. Your card made me laugh; a dragon singing Celestina Warbeck numbers was definitely not what I was expecting.

"Ah good, I picked it especially to cheer you up," Charlie smiled. "Oh, forgot to say, Ginny said to tell you that if you laugh at her outfit she'll tell Roger Davies you fancy him."

"Why? Is it amusing?" Katie enquired, looking around for Ginny.

"She's a bridesmaid, so, obviously she's not happy about that," Charlie supplied.

"Oh brilliant, that'll be hilarious!" she laughed.

Charlie glanced around the marquee.

"It's getting pretty full in here," he said. "Must be nearly time."

As he turned back, the light caught a jagged, fresh-looking burn on his neck.

"New burn, huh?" Katie asked, indicating it. "What kind of dragon?"

"Escaped Chinese Fireball," he grinned ruefully. "Got me just as I caught it."

"Hurt much?"

"No, course not. I am made of steel," Charlie pulled a dashing hero pose as Katie giggled.

"Shh, keep it to yourself, you'll make less manly guys feel small," she joked.

"I know, I'm just too manly for them to handle," Charlie agreed, trying not to laugh.

"Charlie, it's time," Bill called over, interrupting them.

Charlie straightened his tie and stood up.

"Duty calls. See you later, Bell."

Arthur and Molly Weasley made their way down to their seats at the front, as Bill and Charlie took their places. Fred wolfwhistled, loud and clear over the chatting, causing several French girls to giggle. Katie rolled her eyes.

Then the crowd feel silent as music began to play, and as one, every single guest turned to see the beautiful Fleur enter with her absurdly short father.

"What's this, Weasley 7?" Katie asked Ginny, walking over to her friend. "You're wearing a dress?"

"Likewise, Bell," Ginny returned, grinning. "Seriously, don't say anything else about this monstrosity."

"Okay okay... was it your mum's idea? Mine was," Katie indicated her own over-the-top dress.

"Mothers," Ginny sighed, "are ridiculous. Anyway, how are you? We've not really spoken since the whole Fred thing."

"I know, sorry, I was trying to block it out. I'm alright now; he's an idiot and I don't care anymore."

Ginny looked at her sympathetically.

"Have you talked to him yet?" she asked.

"What? Don't be ridiculous. Of course I haven't," Katie replied incredulously, catching sight of Harry Potter gazing at Ginny. "Have you talked to Harry since you guys broke up?"

"Yeah, I may have kind of kissed him the other day..." Ginny admitted sheepishly.

"Alright then," Katie said, "if I talk to Fred, you've got to talk to Harry at some point tonight."

Ginny sighed.

"Fine, but it doesn't have to be right now, alright? I'll talk to him in a bit. But Fred's just there, so go talk," she shoved Katie gently towards Fred.

Katie turned back to glare at Ginny, who just waved and walked away. Well, this was great. She looked around the marquee quickly, maybe she could just hang out with Charlie instead. But Charlie was singing 'Odo The Hero' with Hagrid. He caught her eye and pulled a face. Ah well, maybe she could talk to him later.

"Did you want something, Bell?" said an unfortunately familiar voice.

Fred was standing next to her.

"What, am I not allowed to stand here?" she snapped, caught off guard.

"There you go again," Fred said smugly. "Getting angry before I've done anything."

"Oh yeah," Katie retorted sarcastically. "Because you've done nothing wrong. Except for the whole going off with Alicia Spinnet while I was unconscious in hospital and dumping me without warning or explanation after Dumbledore's funeral. Yep, nothing wrong at all there."

Fred sighed loudly.

"Merlin's pants, you're such high maintenance, always overreacting."

"Overreacting?" Katie turned to him in fury. "Oh yes, I see. Now it's my fault. You never ever admit that you're wrong."

"Well you're who can't let go of anything, or anyone, even if they don't want you. I don't want you. That's why I dumped you. Good enough reason?"

"You know what, go flirt with some French bimbo and see if I care. I don't ever want to see you again," Katie hissed, marching off round the edge of the marquee.

She came to a halt a short distance away, breathing heavily as though she had run a race. Oh, she hated Fred so much! How had she ever found him attractive? He was the most annoying and inconsiderate person she had never met.